Ball casting machine



Nov l, 1949. w..c. BRINToN BALL CASTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Fil'edSept. 23, 1944;

- INVENTOR. W/LLARD C BR//vro/v NOV l, 1949. w, c, BRlNTQN I 2,486,388 IBALL CASTING MACHINE Filed sept. 23,`1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR.

VV/LA RD C. 'R//vro/v I Afforneg NOV l 1949- w. c. BRINTON am. CASTINGMACHINE 4 Shee'ts-Sheetl 3 Filed Sept. 23. 1944 FIG. i5

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FIG. i7 kN@ FIG. ZI

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 23, 1944 M40/n. hat

lliAllllllll Illllllh" mms/TOR. W/L ARD C BRM/TON gab A Hor/1e yPatented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic machines for castinggrinding balls and similar articles.

Wherever rocks and ores are to be reduced to a powder for any reason, orpurpose, as for preparing metaliferous ores for treatment for flotation,they are, as a rule, crushed and then ground in a ball or rod mill. Inthe grinding operation the balls employed are subject to the abrasiveaction of the materials ground which soon reduces the size of the ballsto such an extent that they must be replaced. Balls for grinding mil-lsare either forged from steel or least from iron, and must have therequired grain structure and hardness for long life.

Balls from cast iron are usually cast in water cooled molds and thusacquire a chilled outer surface that is hard and a grain structure whichis tough, which characteristics make them last a long time compared withballs cast in sand molds.

Various kinds of machines have been invented and usedfor castinggrinding balls, some of which are to a certain degree, automatic.

It is the object of this invention to produce a grinding ball castingmachine which shall be of a sim-ple and substantial construction andwhich can be manufactured and sold for less than similar machines ofdifferent construction.

Another object is to produce a machine of the type specified which canbe made almost entirely from commercial forms of structural steelthereby eliminating to a great extent the cost incident to thepreparation of expensive patterns and .special tools.

A further object of this invention is to produce a ball casting machinehaving two spaced and inclined channels for the reception ofsubstantially cubical mold blocks and to provide the same with means formoving the blocks upwardly in one channel and downwardly in the otherchannel and to provide means for shifting the blocks from one channel tothe other.

Another object is to produce a machine o' the type specied in which themold blocks move upwardly in straight rows during the casting operationin response to a force applied to the lo-wermost block, as distinguishedfrom circular paths, whereby the blocks may be readily cooled.

Another object is to produce a casting machine in which the mold blocksmay be rocked relative to each other while the metal is still molten andwhile it is setting so as `to facilitate the removal of the balls. y

A further object is Yto produce a machine in which the mold blocks arecaused to move over a convex supporting surface to break the groovemetal or sprue.

Another object is to :produce a ball casting ma-` chine in which themold blocks are arranged in substantially straight and horizontallyinclined rows and the metal allowed to flow downwardly through surfacegrooves that are in communica- -tion with the mold gate and in whichlmeans is provided for partially cutting and for chilling the metal inthe block grooves to facilitate breakage.

A further object is to produce a machine in which the expansion of themold blocks is utilized for bre-aking the .groove metal that joins thesprues.

Another Objectis to produce a machine having separate mold blocks inwhich the force exerted on them during the shifting of the blocks tendsto urge their contacting lsurf-aces into .engagement with each other andin which the expansion, due to the heat, also serves to urge theadjacent block surfaces into closer contact.

A further object is to produce a machine in which the degree of coolingcan be regulated by changing the position of the pouring means.

The above and any other objects that may become apparent as thedescription proceeds are attained by means .of a construction and anarrangement of parts that will now be described in detail and Vfor thispurpose reference will be had to the accompanying .drawings in which theinvention has beenillustrated, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the casting ma.- chine, shown in a moreor less diagrammatic manner, with portions thereof `omitted and otherportions broken away;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is. a transverse section taken on lines 3-3, Figures 1 and 2;

,Figure 4 is a top plan view yof a mold block;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the block shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the 'block shown in Figure 4 Figure 7 isa transverse Isection taken on line 1 1, Figure 4; y

Figure 8 is a transverse section simi-lar to that shown in Figure 7, butshowing a modified construction in which the center part of the block ismade from highly heat conductive material, vsuch as copper;

Figure 9' is a top plan view .of a mold block whose .outer surface .isprovided with a replaceable layer of .poor ,heat .conducting material;

Figure is an end View of the block shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the relationship of theseveral parts and the position of the groove metal notching wheel;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the part shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a section through a sprue showing the hollow material, thesame as it appears immediately before the opening is closed by theflowing metal;

Figure 14 is a transverse section taken on line III-I4, Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary top view showing means for rocking the blocksas they are moved upwardly in one of the channels;

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the rocking means shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a top plan view of a mold block showing each side providedwith short transverse ribs for cooperation with the rocking means;

Figure 18 is an end elevation of the block shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a side elevation of the block shown in Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a section taken on line 22-22. Figure 1 and shows a meansfor bending the row of blocks so as to effect a breaking of the groovemetal;

Figure 21 shows the mold blocks arranged in one position with the grooveon the lower side of the center line;

Figure 22 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 23, but shows thegroove on the upper side of the center line;

Figure 23 is a diagram showing the relative positions and the relationof the several elements of the machine.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2,reference numeral 5 designates the floor or some other supportingsurface cn which the machine rests. One end of the machine is supportedbetween a pair of vertical pipes 6, whose enlarged bases 'I rest on thefloor. Sleeves 8 are slidably connected with pipes 6 and are held invertical position by means of pins passing through the openings 9. Apipe III, which has been indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2, connectsthe sleeves 8. The upper end of the frame, which will now be described,rests on this transverse supporting member.

The casting machine comprises a frame having three parallel guidemembers which have been designated by reference numerals II, I2 and I3.These members are constructed so as to be of rectangular cross sectionand hollow, as shown in Figure 3. In the actual construction they areeach formed from two six-inch channels having twoinch anges, the flangesbeing welded so as to form a watertight joint, the ends of these guidemembers are also closed with a watertight closure which does not show inthe drawings. The several guides are spaced as shown in Figure 3 so asto form channels A and B. The bottoms of the channels are formed byhollow members I4 and I5, which are of the same size and constructed inthe same manner as guides Il, I2 and I3. The bottom members I4 and I5are electrowelded to transversely extending pipes IB, which hold them inspaced position. It will be seen from Figure 3, that bottom members I4and I5 are spaced apart at the center so as to form a channel C in whichis located a pipe I1, to which reference will hereinafter be made ingreater particularity. Secured to the sides of the hollow bottom membersI4 and I5, are outwardly extending brackets I8, which may beelectrowelded thereto. These brackets have elongated openings I9.Brackets 20 are electrowelded to the bottoms of the guides I2 and I3 andbolts 2| extend through the brackets I8 and 2l] and secure the guidemembers to the hollow bottom members in a predetermined relation. Theparts are adjusted in such a way that channels A, B and C are of uniformwidth throughout their length. Electrowelded or otherwise secured to theframe near the lower end thereof, as viewed in Figure 11, is a largetransversely extending pipe 22, or other equivalent member, thatsupports the lower end of the frame from the surface of the floor andpermits a rocking movement thereof so as to allow the inclination to beadjusted by means of the support shown at the lefthand end of Figure 2.Pipe II is continuous, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and at its lower endit is provided with a cross head 23. Secured to the upper end of pipeI'I is a cross head 25 which has an upwardly extending portion 26 fromwhich a pusher bar 21 extends rearwardly. A pusher bar 28, similar tothat designated by reference numeral 27, is secured to one end of crosshead 23. It will now be evident that whenever the pipe is reciprocated,the two pusher bars 2T and 28 will move in the same direction and to thesame extent.

It will be observed that the guide I3 extends downwardly to a greaterdistance than guides II and I 2 and that guide I2 extends upwardlybeyond guides II and I3, all for a purpose which will hereinafterappear.

Reference will now be had to Figure 22 from which it will be seen thatthe cross head 23 is secured to the end of a piston rod 3U that extendsinto a cylinder 3l. A piston 32 is secured to the inner end of thepiston rod and is urged against the end 33 of the cylinder by means of apowerful spring 34. A three-way valve 35 is connected with the cylinderand is in communication with the inner end thereof through a passage 36.The outlet port of this valve has been designated by reference numeral3l and the inlet port, which is connected with a source of air underpressure (not shown) has been designated by reference numeral 38. Therotatable valve plug 39 has a handle 40 provided at its upper end with aheavy weight 4I. When the handle 40 is rocked from the full, to thedotted line position shown in Figure 23, it closes the inlet port 38 andopens communication between the passage 36 and the outlet port 31,whereby the spring 34 will function to return the parts to the full lineposition shown in Figure 23. A valve control bar 42 has one end securedto the cross head 23 and extends across the valve handle 4D. This barhas an elongated notch 43 in which pin 44, which is connected with thehandle 40, moves. In the position shown in Figure 23, the valve has justbeen moved to such a position that the interior is connected with thecompressed air and the piston will therefore begin to move towardstheleft and when the pin 44 contacts the wall at the righthand end of notch43, it will move the valve handle over dead center so as to permit theweight to throw it into the dotted line position whereupon the Valvewill be in a position to communicate the interior of the cylinder withthe outlet port.

It will be observed that this mechanism s in eifect a, motor in whichmovement is effected in one direction by means of air pressure and theother by means of spring 34 and that it will con- S tinue to operate inthis manner as long as it is supplied with compressed air.

Although it has not been shown in the drawing, the air is admitted tothe valve rthrough a very small opening so as to limit the rate at whichthe cylinder moves.

Attention is called at this point to the fact that the guides Il, I2 andI3, as well as the hollow bottom members I4 and I5 are water cooled, thewater entering through the pipes designated by reference numerals45 andleaves through the pipes designated by reference numeral 46. Thecirculation of water is effected by any suitable means, which has notbeen shown.

Positioned in the channels A and B and resting on the bottom members I4and I5 are mold blocks 41 of a construction which will now be described.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 4 to 10, it will be seen thatthe blocks 41 are of almost cubical shape, the top View as shown inFigure 4 being a square and in actual construction for use in molding athree-inch ball, the

blocks are five inches square and six inches deepv and are formed fromlcast iron, except as will hereinafter be explained. The upper surfaceof each block has a groove 48 whose bottom is inclined slightly towardsthe center in the manner shown in Figure 5. The opposite ends areprovided with semispherical depressions 49 and with gate openings 50that extend to the top of the block and intersect the groove 4B. Whenthe blocks are placed in end to end relation as shown in Figures 1, 2,21 and 22. the semispherical depressions supplement each other to formspherical molds for the reception of the molten metal. It is some timesdesirable to effect a, more rapid dissipation of the heat from themolten metal, than would be effected in a solid cast iron mold block andwhen this is the case, the blocks are molded with a cavity 5I thatextends upwardly from the bottom in the manner shown in Figure 8 andthis cavity is lled with copper or any other suitable metal 52 of highheat conductivity that has a suiciently high melting point to make itsuitable for thisv purpose. It will be seen that when the blocks are inposition as shown in Figures 1 and 2, their lower surfaces rest onmembers I4 and I5 and their sides are adjacent the guides II, I2 and I3and since all of these supporting and guide members are water cooled,the heat from the molten metal is rapidly dissipated.

In Figures 9 and 10, a slightly modified form of block has been shown.In this modification the upper surface has a depressed area whose bottomhas been designated by reference numeral 53. Positioned in thisdepressed area is a block 54 of refractory poor heat conductingmaterial, such as reclay. This block has a groove 48a that communicateswith the gate 50a. The poor heat insulating material 54 retards thecooling of the molten metal. In order to position the block 54 the sidewalls of the depressed area are provided with inwardly extendingprojections 55. that t into suitable depressions in the sides of thebloc-k. Any other suitable means for positioning these blocks may besubstituted.

With the insert 54 of poor heat conducting material, the metal will notas readily solidify in the grooves as when it is poured directly onto acast iron surface. Instead of a thick block like shown, the grooves 48in the cast iron blocks may be painted or otherwise covered with a thinlayer of reclay, or other suitable material 'so as to form a heatinsulating layer. i

The blocks 41 are positioned in channels A and B in suilicient number tocompletely ll the same from 4end to end as indicated in Figures 1 and 2and are moved longitudinally in the channels by the reciprocation of thepusher bars 21 and 28 and transferred from one channel to the other bytransferring means which will now be described.

The distance that the pipe I'I and the cross heads which are attachedthereto reciprocate at leach cycle of rotation is equal to twice thelength of the blocks, for a reason which will hereinafter be pointedout. When the channels A and B are .full of blocks, the blocks willbemoved only the length of one block during each cycle of rotation for thereason that there is a lost motion at the point D Figure 23 equal to thelength of a block. At the end of each cycle of rotation, the blocks arein the positions shown by full lines in Figure 1 and it is now necessaryto move the lowermost block in channel B to the dotted line position atthe lower end of channel A and to move the block designated by 41X atthe upper end of channel A to the dotted line position in front of thepusher bar 21. To effect this transfer of blocks from one @channel tothe other, certain mechanisms have been provided which have been shownin a more or less diagrammatic manner in Figure 23 to which referencewill now be made. At the lower ends of the guide members and channels Aand B there is a slide designated by reference numeral 56, which has afinger 51 pointing towards the blocks. This slide moves in a guide whichhas not been shown. A cable 58 is attached to one end of the slide andafter passing over one or more pulleys 5S, terminates in la weight 6B.This weight tends to move the slide tothe full line position. Extendingfrom the slide is another cable 6I that passes around the pulley 52 andis anchored to a stationary member at point 63.. An arm 64 is connectedwith the cross head 29 and carries a pulley 65 which contacts the bightof the cable, all as shown in full lines in Figure 23. When the crosshead moves towards the left into the broken line position, the bight ofthe cable is increased and the slide 55 is moved into the broken lineposition. It will be seen that the slide 5,6 has a pro- `iection 66 andthat there is a pawl 61 pivoted to a stationary part of the machine at68. A spring 69 tends to rotate the pawl in a clockwise direcltion. Whenthe slide reaches the broken line,

the projection 65 will pass by and engage the hook at the end of pawl 51and the slide will therefore remain latched in this position untilreleased. The release of the slide iseffected by means of a pin 'IIJthat is carried by arm 64 and which engages the pawl and moves it toreleasing position just before the cross arm reaches the return end ofits stroke. When the pawl releases the slide 56, it will move inresponse to the tension produced by weight 60, thereby engaging thelowermost block in channel B (Figure 1) and move this block to the fullline position in channel A.

At the upper end of the machine the block 41X must be moved to thedotted line position in channel B and this is effected by means of atransfer mechanism comprising a slide 1I that moves in a suitable guide,not shown, and to which nger 12 is pivotally connected at 13. A spring14 tends to hold this linger against the stop 15. A cable 16 is attachedto the slide 1I and after passing over one or more pulleys 11, isattached to a weight 18. In the full line position shown in Figure 26,the weight is at its uppermost position. It will be observed that thecross head 25 has an arm 19 to the end of which 'a pulley SII isattached. A cable 8| is attached to the slide 1| and after passingaround the pulley 82, is anchored to a stationary part of the machine at83. A bight of the cable passes around the pulley 80. When the arm 19moves from full line to dotted line position, it permits the weight 19to move the slide 1| towards the broken line position and in thismovement the finger 12 engages the side of the block 41 shown in brokenlines and transfers it to the broken line position in channel B. Whenthe slide reaches this position, the cross head and the attached partsare in the broken line position. An arm 84 is attached to the cross headand carries a downwardly extending plate 85 on one side. A lever 86 ispivoted to arm 84 at points 81 and is acted on by a spring 88 whichtends to move it in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot 81. Thefree end of the lever has a downwardlly projecting curved plate 89 thatoverlaps the corresponding side of a block as shown in Figure 23. Withthe parts in the position shown in Figure 23, it is apparent that if thearm 84 begins to move towards the left, it will carry with it the block41 that is positioned between plates 85 and 89. When the parts movetowards the leit, the end block in channel A will be separated from thenext block and will be carried a distance of its own length before thepusher bar 28 will engage the lowermost block in channel A. After this,the whole row of blocks in channel A will move the length of one block.Due to the lost motion above referred to, the upper block in channel Awill move twice its own length, while the other blocks in this channelwill lmove only their own length and as a result of this there will be aspace indicated by Y in Figure 23 that is equal to the length of ablock. There is a solid plate 90 that extends beyond the upper ends ofguides Il and I3 for the support of the blocks and this is provided withan opening 9| through which the balls drop after they are removed romthe molds.

It is apparent that the separating device comprising .the lever 88 andassociated parts must be released as the parts approach the end of theirstroke and to effect this a stop 92 is positioned in the path of theupper end of lever 86. The action of this stop is to move this lever tothe position shown in broken lines. It is further apparent that somemeans must be provided for holding this lever in inoperative positionuntil the parts return to a position in which another block is to begrasped and this is effected by means of a friction brake mechanismcomprising a lever 93, which is pivoted at 94 and has an end 95 bent soas to engage the lever 86 and hold it against movement due to the actionof spring 83. The pivotal connection at 94 is such that it offers aconsiderable frictional resistance against movement and this is effectedby any one of the many well known means employed for this purpose indierent types of machines. A stop 96 is so positioned Ithat when theparts approach their lowermost limit of travel, the two levers 86 and 93will engage this stop and this will remove the end 95 from lever 86 andpermit the spring to function so as to bring the part 89 into blockengaging position. The parts are now in such a position that at thebeginning of the next cycle of rotation, another block will be separatedfrom the line of blocks in channel A and moved to a point on the upperside of opening 9|, whereupon the ball casting in the mold can beseparated and allowed to drop through the opening 9| from 8 to atumbling barrel 98 which is rotated by suitable means.

From the above description it will be apparent that with the mechanismillustrated, an intermittent shifting of the mold blocks can beeffected, the blocks being periodically moved in their channels thelength of one block and the upper block of channel A being moved thelength of two blocks so as to eiect a separation for the purpose ofremoving the castings. So long as air is supplied to the cylinder 3|,this movement will continue. The pipe supplying air from the storagetank to the three-way valve has not been shown, but it is provided withone or more valves positioned at strategic places around the machine sothat the operator can stop the machine whenever he Wants to by closingany one of these valves.

The pressure exerted by the pusher bars in moving the blocks upwardly inchannel A serves to force the contacting surface of adjacent blockstowards each other .to close the mold. The adjacent block surfaces donot necessarily have to be finished, but can be in the condition inwhich they arrive from the mold, because any molten metal thatpenetrates the thin space between these blocks will immediately becomechilled and seal the mold.

Since it is the purpose of this machine to make balls or other similararticles, it is necessary to provide molten metal and to deposit this inthe grooves 40 where it may run downwardly and enter the gates and fillthe molds. In Figure 2, a ladle 99 has been shown. This is supported ontrunnions |00. The carriage for the ladle has not been illustrated asany of the ordinary and well known ladle supports can be used. Thepouring lip of the ladle has been designated by reference numeral |0|.Molten metal is poured from the ladle into the groove 48 and runsdownwardly from one block to .the other and sincethe gates 50 intersectthe grooves 48, molten metal will flow through the gates and into themold depressions, lling the same. Due to the fact that the gates arepositioned to one side of the groove, the metal will 'be given a rotarymotion as it enters the gate opening. This rotary motion provides themetal sprue, with a center opening like that indicated by referencenumeral |02 in Figure 3 where the sprue has been designated by referencenumeral |03. The opening in the sprue permits any air or gas to escapeand after the mold has been completely filled, opening |02 will alsoclose. The rotary motion of the molten metal has been designated byarrow 84 in Figure 14. The different sprues are connected from one blockto the other by means of the strips of groove metal |05. L

Since the groove metal must be separated or broken before the blocks canbe separated, means has been provided to notch the metal and to sub'-ject it to a chilling action to make it brittle. For the purpose ofnotching and chilling the groove metal, a wheel |06 has been mounted forrotation about a bearing |01 that is carried lby the iront end of an arm|08 which in turn is pivotally connected at |09 to the vertical flangel0 of an angle bracket whose horizontal flange I is secured to the`guide I3 by means of blots H2. The wheel |06 is provided with sharpsteel teeth or projections ||3 that are adjusted to travel in thegrooves 48. This wheel is positioned directly above the point where themetal is poured and therefore engages the groove metal before ithardens. The teeth cut depressions ||4 in the groove metal in the mannershown in Figure 11.

whence it passes through a tubular conduit 91 75 By the time the moldsreach the upper end of such an extent that it will be very brittle andcan be readily broken at points IM. In order to expedite the cooling ofthe groove metal a massiv-e metal wheel I I is mounted on a support likethat employed in connection with wheel |06 and positioned so as toengage the upper surface of the groove metal for the purpose ofabstracting heat therefrom. Due to the heat absorptive action of themold blocks and to the further heat absorp-v tive action of Wheels |06and I I5, .the groove metal will cool very rapidly so as to be entirelysolidiiied at the upper end of channel A.

blocks on opposite sides of their center lines. I

For the purpose of making these springs effective to rock the blocks,the latter has been constructed with their bases in a broadly convexshape. The convex curvature is effected by three straight surfacescomprising a center straight surface F and two upwardly inclinedstraight surfaces G, as shown in Figure 18. The center surface F restson the upper surface of the bottom members I4 and I5 so as to be in goodheat transmitting relation thereto. The upper surfaces of these blocksare provided with short transversely extending ribs II8, the ribs onopposite sides being staggered. When one of these ribs passes under theend of a spring, the pressure exerted by the latter will rock the blockand this rocking of the block While the metal is still soft, results ina loose connection between the casting and the mold which facilitatesthe removal of the casting.

Where the rocking mechanism is dispensed with the blocks .may have flatbottoms as shown in Figures 5 and 10.

In order to break the groove metal, the rupper surface of bottom memberI5 is provided with an upwardly convex portion like that designated by`reference |numeral I I9 in Figure 20, located a short distance abovewheel II5 where the metal is brittle after having been notched andchilled. When the blocks are moved in the direction of the arrow, theyare first turned upwardly so as to bend the groove metal at point H andthis, due to the brittle condition of the metal, tends to weaken it andbreak it and this is further augmented at the next joint. As the blockspass over the hump the groove metal will be put under tension whichcompletes the breaking thereof.

In Figures 21 and 22, different arrangements of the blocks have beenshown. In Figure 21, the groove 48 is positioned to the outside ofchannel A and in 22 the groove is positioned towards the inside ofchannel A.

The amount of cooling can be adjusted by varying the position at whichthe metal is poured with respect to the length of the row of blocks. Itis evident that the nearer to the top of the row the metal is poured,the shorter time it will have for cooling and this makes it possible togive the castings the best possible heat treatment to obtain the optimumgrain structure.

By increasing or decreasing the amount of metal in the mold blocks withrespect to the siZe of the balls or other castings, and by substitutingcopper or a suitable alloy, the amount channel A, the groove metal willhave cooled to '10 ,of chill and the resultant grain structure can bemodified within reasonable limits.

Due to the fact that the molds are separated at the upper end of the rowin channel A, the 'operator has an opportunity to employ a hammer or achisel or any other suitable tool to .loosen the casting from the moldin case it should not fall out of its own accord.

The sprues H33 become quite hard and brittle due to the chilling actionand are easily broken at their narrowest points and may be provided witha restricted area at this point, as indicated by reference numeral |20.

In the present embodiment the mold blocks have been shown and describedas made from cast iron and in Figure 8 a block having a copper insert 52has been shown. Its use is contemplated where a Very rapid chill isdesired.

Since the blocks are arranged in rows and are moved by means of pressureexerted on an end block, it is evident that the blocks are free toexpand and contract in response to temperature changes.

In addition to the spring 34 and. as a further V and an adjustable meansfor returning the cross head 29 and associated parts, a weight Wt may beattached to the cross head and connected with the latter by a cable insuch a manner that the pull due to the weight will supplement the forceexerted by the spring. This weight may 4be increased or decreased toeffect the proper operation with diiferent inclinations of the machine.

Attention is called to the fact that when the mold blocks are heated dueto their contact 4with the molten metal, the latter has its temperaturedecreased and the groove metal Ais therefore contracting at the time theblocks are .expanding and since the groove metal cools fast 40l ntheaction of the notching wheel IIlI.

In the construction shown and described, the mold blocks are readilyremovable as they merely rest on the bottoms of the channels. A blockv.can .be removed at any time and replaced by another without aifectingthe operation.

Referring again to Figures 9 and 10, attention is called to the factthat the mold block 4'I can be made from copper and the top 54 from castiron. Since copper is. a much better conductor of heat than the iron,the same relation between the heat conductivities of the two parts willbe preserved.

Attention is directed to the fact that in the construction shown anddescribed, the molds are pushed upwardly along an inclined path by aforce applied to the lowermost mold in the row and this allows forexpansion and contraction in response to temperature changes and as aresult the molds are always held in contact with a constant force duringthe entire range of temperature variation.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A ball casting machine comprising, in combination, an elongatedframe, inclined at an angle to the horizontal, having its upper surfaceprovided with two spaced parallel guide channels, a row of mold blockspositioned in each channel, in end contacting relation, said blockshaving their contacting surfaces provided with complementary molddepressions and gate openings and a channel in their upper surfacesconnecting said gate openings, a power reciprocated member having oneabutment for intermittently moving the mold blocks upwardly in onechannel and a second abutment for moving mold blocks downwardly in theother, each reciprocation moving the rows of blocks the length of ablock, reciprocating transfer mechanism at the lower end of the framefor moving blocks from the lower end of the downwardly moving row to thelower end of the upwardly moving row, means for filling the molds in theupwardly moving row with molten metal, means for separating theuppermost block in the upwardly moving row from its adjacent block topermit the casting to be removed, and a second reciprocating transfermechanism for moving the separated block in the upwardly moving row tothe upper end of the downwardly moving row of blocks, whereby anintermittent circulation and separation of the blocks is effected.

2. An automatic ball casting machine in accordance with claim 1 in whicha groove metal connection is formed which connects a row of severalspaced gates and in which means comprising a toothed wheel positionedfor rotation with its teeth projecting into the groove metal, is'provided for chilling and at least partially severing the groove metalto facilitate breaking thereof.

3. An automatic ball 'casting machin-e in accordance with claim 2 inwhich the bottom of the channel containing the upwardly moving blocks isprovided with an upwardly convex portion positioned above the chillingand severing device for bending the groove metal to effect a breakingthereof.

4. An automatic ball casting machine in accordance with claim 1including means for effecting a relative movement of the blocks withrespect to each other while the metal is setting to facilitate removalof the castings from the molds.

5. An automatic ball casting machine in accordance with claim 1 in whichthe under surface of each block is transversely convex and in whichmeans is provided for effecting a rocking movement of each blockrelative to its adjacent 12 blocks while the metal is setting,A wherebythe removal of the casting is facilitated.

6. An automatic ball casting machine in accordance with claim 1 in whichthe sides and bottom of the guide channels are formed from hollowmembers through which water may be flowed for effecting a cooling of theblocks, the hollow members at the sides being a xed distance apartthroughout their length and the hollow member at the bottom extendingbetween the lower edges of the hollow members at the sides to form achannel with a closed bottom and an open top, the channel being of suchsize that a row of blocks may slide therein with the sides of a block inengagement with the hollow members at the sides, and the bottom of theblock in engagement with the hollow member at the bottom.

7. An automatic ball casting machine in accordance with claim 1 whereinthe channel in the upper surfaces of the molds is disposed relative tothe gate openings in a manner to effect rotary movement of the moltenmetal as it ows down a gate open-ing.

WILLARD C. BRINTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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